LEICESTER DANCE FESTIVAL Closes this Weekend

LET'S DANCE INTERNATIONAL FRONTIERS heads into its final week as Leicester's premiere annual dance festival.

• Record attendances
• Debut performances by Leicester-trained Jessica Walker, Newcastle-based Ella Mesma, London-based Protocol Dance Company among many more
• Sold-out masterclasses, workshops, and film screenings
• Final shows May 12th and 13th at The Curve feature the UK premiere of
• Philadanco Ballet from Philadelphia, USA

LDIF is curated by Executive Artistic Director Pawlet Brookes (left) of the Leicester production organisation, Serendipity-UK who are based on the De Montfort University campus in Leicester.

Here Pawlet talks about LDIF17:

"LDIF 17 has been going brilliantly! And our final weekend is coming up with performances by the US-based Philadanco at the Curve on May 12th and 13th. We launched LDIF17 on April 29th with a sellout show by the phenomenal Urban Bush Women accompanied by US jazz pianist George Caldwell, who brought audiences at the glorious King's Ballroom at Mercure Leicester, The Grand Hotel to their feet.

"Urban Bush Women then led an intensive course which was a fantastic opportunity for practitioners to work closely with the company, and learn more about their technique and practice."

"Signatures and Autograph were our two programmes presented in association with Nottingham's Dance4 for emerging artists in a diverse showcase of innovative work. Many of the works echoed the theme of this year's programme: Identity and Choreographic Practice and included performances by former De Montfort University graduate Jessica Walker, the Newcastle based dancer/choreographer Ella Mesma, and the fantastic hip hop performance by Si Rawlinson.

"We have been privileged to present some amazing work, including CLAY from Asha Thomas and Yinka Esi Graves, a morphing of contemporary and flamenco that left the audience speechless and a sold out screening of the accompanying film 'Gurumbé'.

"And it's been wonderful working with venues including the Curve, Attenborough Arts Centre, the Guildhall, Phoenix Cinema, the Mercure Hotel and many more.

"The ground-breaking Joan Myers Brown, founder of PHILADANCO, was keynote speaker at our sold-out conference which featured an amazing line up of speakers who brought energy, positive connections and future collaborations to the table.

"Over the two weeks we will have had 2000 artists, participants and audience members, animating spaces from the intimate museum spaces to larger theatre studios. LDIF17 has brought a real presence to the city, with the posters featuring PHILADANCO making a physical presence across Leicester. There has been a real buzz, with audiences coming to one event and booking tickets for the rest of the festival!

"LDIF17 has brought audiences from across Leicester's diverse communities, and further afield (with people travelling from as far as London and Glasgow to attend). It has been refreshing to have such a mix of audiences from young people and students to academics and dance practitioners that have been animated and engaged. Onwards to LDIF18!"

LET'S DANCE INTERNATIONAL FRONTIERS is the dynamic annual dance festival in Leicester which has been performing to increasing audiences since its inception in 2010. LDIF 17 features an enticing programme designed to give audiences the opportunity of seeing work by nationally and internationally renowned dance companies, brand new work by fast rising names from the UK as well as work from locally based dancers and choreographers. LDIF17 will present performances, documentaries, workshops and discussion exploring this year's theme of 'Identity and Choreographic Practice'.

Diversity is key for LDIF17 and this year's programme is designed to embrace the cosmopolitan nature of Leicester by bringing diversity to the forefront in dance while celebrating the work of dancers at all stages of their careers. LDIF 17 is produced by Serendipity, a diversity-led organisation based at Leicester De Montfort University.

Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council England said: "One of the Arts Council's ambitions is to see our National Lottery funding giving people the chance to enjoy great arts events in the places they live and this year's Leicester International Dance Festival promises to do just that. It will be great to see audiences enjoying world class artists from around the globe, whilst also providing an important platform for conversations about diversity within our country's dance sector."

Sarah Levitt, Head of Arts and Museums, Leicester City Council said: "Let's Dance International Frontiers has become a feature in Leicester's cultural calendar. We are thrilled that Leicester is able to play host to world renowned dancers and companies, and our communities can engage with outstanding performances, workshops and discussions about dance practice."

Follow Let's Dance International Frontiers on:
Twitter: @LetsDanceFront #LDIF17
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